Information technology tools and resources at the UW

Redirecting Websites

Choose Your Method

There are two primary ways of redirecting users to the location of your new website: server-based and browser-based. Both options offer various benefits and drawbacks, and individual site owners can choose which solution to use for their website.

Server-Based

Server-based redirects use simple directives in local .htaccess files that tell the web server that the content has changed locations and to immediately redirect the user to a new site. UW-IT recommends using this method.

Benefits

Instant: The server immediately sends the redirect upon connection to the site.

Instructions

Browser-Based

Browser-based redirects use a HTML header that tells the browser to redirect to a new location. This method allows a site administrator to optionally specify a waiting period before redirect and to leave a message announcing the URL change.

Benefits

Allows for Message before Redirect: By specifying a time before redirect, an administrator can leave a message for users to update their bookmarks and links before redirect.

Drawbacks

Requires removal of all files: Requires removal of all files in web publishing in order for redirect to work properly.